Page 114 of Bad Wolf
WREN
After returningthe last of what feels like a hundred emails, I close out of the mail app on my laptop, rubbing at the soreness building in my temples. For a project that’s only in its infancy, there’s a hell of a lot of work to do.
Working for a nonprofit is far more fulfilling than I ever expected it would be. And harder work than anticipated. Not because of anything Casey or Anna are doing, but because of the hoops they’re needing to jump through to prove not only its legitimacy, but its sustainability.
I'm proud of what Anna and I have already been able to accomplish, but there’s still tons to do before we’re even in a position to actually get kids in skates and out on to the ice.
Juggling work and my course assignments has been tricky, but with the final assignment of the year completed and sent in ahead of the deadline, I’m feeling lighter than I have done in months, even if my to-do list just doubled.
I think Casey hired the best law firm in the state. The team specializes in nonprofit and tax-exempt law, and man are these government applications complex.
He wants to make a difference in the lives of children who have already lost everything and just doesn’t have time in his crazy schedule to get this thing of the ground. Hence why Anna and I, have taken on the mammoth task.
“Let’s leave it at that, Wren. All this reading is starting to make me feel woozy,” she says, dropping the printed out legal contracts she’s been pouring over this afternoon.
“Okay,” I say, hopping up. “What can I get you, Mama? Oh, oh my God. Mama Madden,” I squeal, excitedly.
“Nope. Really, that already went to Coralie.”
“Nu-uh. She wasSimpson,”I shudder even thinking of Coralie’s ex-husband,“And will one hundred percent be a Gray by the end of the year. You married in. You’re Mama Madden 2.0!”
She beams at that. “You’ll be next.”
“No way,” I laugh, passing her a glass of cool, icy water I’ve just prepared her from the door of the refrigerator.
She sends me a knowing look.
“Okay, yes. Maybe.” I smile. I’d love nothing more than to have Knox’s children, but that’s getting way, way ahead of ourselves.
I shake my head, filing those thought’s away under my someday wishes.
“Hopefully one day. But I think there might be someone headed for happily ever after a lot sooner than we think.”
“What’s that twinkle in your eye all about?”
I cross my arms on the counter top and lean forward conspiratorially.
“How long do you think until Scotty dog literally explodes from all the pent-up sexual frustration, longing and lust?” I giggle and she can’t help but join in.
“It’s mental right?” she says through her smile, and I wholeheartedly agree. Staying at Scott’s has given me a fly-on-the-wall view and boy, are they so not platonic.
“I don’t know, though. He’s so far into his denial, I’m starting to wonder if he actually knows his own feelings.”
“I think we need to give him a lot more credit than the boys do. I think it boils down to fear.”
Her brow crinkles in thought. “Scott is scared of literally nothing.”
“Oh, I think he’s definitely terrified of something.”
My phone pings with a notification and I give Anna a giddy look, hoping it’s my Knox.
“I’m just going to nip to the loo,” she says, which I now know means use the bathroom.
When I see it’s my boyfriend who’s left me a voice note, I can’t stop the butterflies that stir.
I eagerly thumb into the note, pressing play and automatically smiling when I hear his voice.
“Hey, Baby. Just checkin’ in. I’ve got another hour or so left here and then I’ll be heading back. Let me know if I’m still picking you up from Casey’s. I’ve had a craving all day for your delicious pussy. Who needs dinner when they can feast on their girlfriend all night? Be warned, I’m starved.”
